In reply to:Although Ireland was invaded and colonized within historical times by Celts, Norsemen, Normans, English, and Scots, there are no corresponding ethnic distinctions. Ethnic and racial minorities make up less than 5 percent of the population. However, immigration from Europe, Africa, and Asia was significant in the last two decades of the 20th century. Although they are small in number, the nomadic Travellers (“Tinkers”) are perhaps the most prominent ethnic minority group.

That doesn't exactly sound like Detroit, New York, or Miami. It looks like, except for thte Travellers, Ireland was quite lilly-white 20 years ago; now it's kind of like southern New Hampshire.

<i>Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter.</i> -- MLK

Compared to Miami, Ireland is as white as a bleached sheet of paper. Not that there's anything wrong with that. It's just an observation. It's interesting to compare something besides penis length and breast size.

<i>Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter.</i> -- MLK

"3:09 in the Emerald Isle...do the Irish like to stay up really late?"

Firstly; the name of this county is Eire, or Ireland, if you like.

In the second instance, I am working late, as I often do - you seem to assume the hour I am responding to you is in some way relevant. Could you explain why?

And (almost) lastly, if the 20+% of ethnic minorities among the 5.2 million people here make us, as a nation; "as white as a bleached sheet of paper" could you explain why you might think that that might be? Have the hundreds of thousands of new residents who have arrived here in the last fifteen years bleached their skin perhaps? Maybe you could enlighten us Steve? Maybe someone who has never set foot on this island could set us all straight with a quick bit of googleing?

Also, even if this was a "lilly white" nation, what is the point of asserting your incorrect notion that that is the situation, if it is a case of, as you say: "Not that there's anything wrong with that"?

You have displayed, once again, a total ignorance of this Island and all its inhabitants, race irrespective. I know black and Asian people here who’d be pissed off by your ignorant and arrogant assertions.

> In the second instance, I am working late, as I often do - you seem to assume the hour I am responding to you in some way relevant. Could you explain way?

I'm aware of two Irish people who post a lot here, and they both seem to post into the wee hours. I was wondering whether Ireland is like the big cities of Spain, where people party all night; or Moscow, where people drink all night; or Paris, where people romance each other all night.

> I know black and Asian people here who’d be pissed off by your ignorant and arrogant assertions.

Some of your best friends are undoubtedly black Asians, but still, I invite you to a major American city to get a real taste of mixed up ethnicity. You can visit Boston, replete with Irish and blacks who rarely cross paths (although South Boston ("Southie") is finally getting integrated); or Miami, an outpost of Latin America and various Caribbean nations, with a large African American population that goes way back. As a white Anglo guy, I am distinctly a minority in the county in which I live. In my neighborhood, as a straight guy, I am really a minority.

<i>Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter.</i> -- MLK

In reply to: I'm aware of two Irish people who post a lot here, and they both seem to post into the wee hours.

As a matter of fact I am just recently home from a night out with my bitches. It was very unfulfilling, cost me €20 to get home (thank god I don't pay for my drinks) altho I may have spotted a new target for the bobulator.

Actually I'm quite mild-tempered, I drink very little, I'd hardly call it partying, there aren't as many gingers as you'd think (I'm certainly not one) and altho I am jolly and like the colour green, to quote "How Many Miles To Babylon?" - Fuck the Pope.